UK road trip: 16 places from Jurassic Coast to Shetland
Explore 25 of the United Kingdom's most iconic destinations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This 3,923 km route spans from London's historic landmarks to Edinburgh's medieval streets, the Lake District's glacial lakes, and Scotland's rugged coastline, showcasing the UK's diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
- Distance
- 3923.3 km
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Jurassic Coast & Durdle Door
- End
- Isle of Skye
- Stops
- 16
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Jurassic Coast & Durdle Door — UNESCO-protected 95-mile coastline showcasing 185 million years of geological history with dramatic limestone arch formations and fossil-rich cliffs.
- Old Harry Rocks — Distinctive white chalk sea stacks and cliffs on the Dorset coast near Swanage, offering breathtaking panoramas especially at sunrise and sunset.
- Isle of Wight — Victorian seaside destination featuring colorful beach huts, coastal heritage sites, and dinosaur fossil beds along England's southern coast.
- Lake District — England's largest national park combining glacial lakes, rugged mountains, and literary heritage inspired by Romantic poets and authors.
- Duncansby Stacks — Jagged sea stacks in northernmost mainland Scotland near John o' Groats, offering spectacular dramatic rock formations set against wild ocean and cliff landscapes.
- Orkney Islands — Archipelago north of Scotland renowned for Neolithic standing stones, Iron Age brochs, and windswept moorlands rich in prehistoric monuments.
- Shetland Islands — Northernmost archipelago of the UK between Scotland and Norway, featuring pristine beaches like St. Ninians and rugged dramatic coastal scenery.
- Outer Hebrides
- Giant's Causeway — UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns along the Northern Irish coast, formed by ancient volcanic activity with legendary Irish giant origins.
- Carrick-a-Rede & Dark Hedges — Northern Irish coastal attractions featuring a dramatic rope bridge above turquoise waters and an atmospheric tree-lined avenue used in film productions.
- Isles of Scilly — Subtropical archipelago off Cornwall's coast with pristine beaches, crystalline waters, and unique flora thriving in Gulf Stream microclimates.
- White Cliffs of Dover & Seven Sisters — Iconic chalk cliff formations along the English Channel—one representing Britain's gateway to Europe, the other a protected natural landscape.
- Scottish Highlands & Glencoe — Vast mountainous region featuring dramatic valleys, lochs, and glens with stunning hiking terrain and stunning Highland cultural heritage.
- Ben Nevis — Britain's highest mountain at 4,413 feet, offering accessible hiking routes and panoramic views of Scottish Highlands and distant islands.
- Eilean Donan Castle — 13th-century island fortress in the Scottish Highlands, one of Britain's most photographed castles, set dramatically in a sea loch.
- Isle of Skye
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Bath is about 2 hours drive from London
- Transport
- Cotswolds is about 1 hour from Bath
- Tip
- Cotswolds Way is a 102-mile walk that begins in Bath and ends in Chipping Camden, taking several days with overnight stays in villages
- Timing
- Old Harry Rocks: visit during sunrise or sunset for epic lighting; avoid weekends and hot days when it gets packed
- Transport
- Isle of Wight: reach by ferry from Southampton or hovercraft ferry from Portsmouth
- Transport
- Edinburgh is about 8 hours drive from London
- Transport
- Dunnottar Castle is about 2 hours drive from Edinburgh
- Transport
- Orkney Islands: take ferry from Gills Bay to Orkney (about 1 hour ride). Many islands are connected by causeways
- Transport
- Shetland Islands: fly or take 14-hour ferry from Kirkwall or Aberdeen
- Transport
- Outer Hebrides: fly or take ferries from Ullapool or Isle of Skye. Ferry from Isle of Skye takes under 2 hours
- Transport
- St. Kilda: take boat departing from Isle of Harris, approximately 3 hours journey to reach the remote island
- Transport
- Isles of Scilly: 28 miles off Cornwall. Reach via 3-hour ferry from Penzance or short plane ride
Video on this route
Top 25 Places To Visit in The UK - Travel Guide